OTTAWA–The federal Liberal Party plans to woo Canadians with an across-the-board tax break, assistance for post-secondary students, and a grab-bag of pocketbook measures — and hopes Canadians don’t mind continued multibillion dollar deficits to pay for it.Justin Trudeau, who broke his 2015 campaign promise to balance the books by this year, turned on the spending taps in his re-election platform with the promise of new measures that carry a $9-billion price tag in 2020-21, rising to $16 billion by 2023-24.But the Liberals are betting their re-election appeal — which includes a focus on Indigenous issues, the environment and a host of targeted affordability measures — overshadows any voter concern about the country’s bottom line.“So here’s the Liberal pitch. We will make your life more affordable. We will make your streets safer. And we will fight climate change,” said Trudeau as he unveiled the Liberal platform in Mississauga on Sunday afternoon.“That’s at the core of what we stand for as a party and as a movement,” his speech read.The 85-page platform details some pledges already unveiled in the campaign — such as not charging federal taxes on Canadians’ first $15,000 in income, a pledge to plant two billion trees by 2030, and a populist pitch to lower cellphone bills — as well as some new measures meant to entice voters to the Liberal fold.The party is promising more generous student grants — up to $1,200 more per year — and more flexible terms on repaying student loans. Graduates would have a grace period of up to two years before they have to start repaying student loans. Graduates can also delay paying back the loans until they make at least $35,000 per year, up from the current threshold of $25,000. New parents still saddled with student loans could pause repayments until their child turns five.There is also a promise for “career insurance benefits&# ...
|
